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South Carolina Lt. Gov. Kevin Bryant is touting his conservative credentials as he officially enters the 2018 governor’s race.

Bryant’s announcement Friday in his hometown of Anderson makes him the fourth candidate competing for the Republican nomination.

Bryant calls government a “dangerous tool” that fails the public and “cannot replace God or family or commonsense.”

The 50-year-old pharmacist helped found the Senate’s libertarian Williams Wallace Caucus. His record is also very socially conservative. During his 12 years a senator, Bryant was among the Legislature’s staunchest abortion foes and proponent of helping parents send their children to private schools.

He became lieutenant governor in January after Nikki Haley’s confirmation as United Nations ambassador made Henry McMaster governor and created a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office. Bryant was the only Republican senator willing to step into the role.

The 50-year-old pharmacist became lieutenant governor in January after Nikki Haley’s confirmation as United Nations ambassador made Henry McMaster governor and created a vacancy in the lieutenant governor’s office. Bryant was the only Republican senator willing to step into a role largely viewed as ceremonial.

Bryant’s expected to appeal to social conservatives. During his 12 years as senator, Bryant was among the Legislature’s staunchest abortion foes.